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Heejung Kim

Biography

Heejung Kim received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern California, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Stanford University in 2001. She is currently an associate professor at the Department of Psychological & Brain sciences, UCSB. Her research interests are in cultural psychology, looking at how culture influences a range of psychological processes. Her research has been funded by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation as well as a grant from Social Science Research Council. She was one of the most cited Assistant Professors in Social Psychology (Dialogue, Fall, 2007). She was also named one of the Revolutionary Minds in science by Seed Magazine (August, 2008).

Research

Heejung Kim is interested in the cultural influences on psychological processes. In particular, her research examines 1) cultural differences in the perception and the effect of speech, 2) cultural differences in the use of social support, and 3) the role of emotion in the acculturation process. She is also interested in the role of culture and genetics in shaping social behaviors. In her studies, she addresses the implications of these culturally specific cognitive, affective and behavioral tendencies for health and educational outcomes.

Sasaki, J., & Kim, H. S. (in press). At the intersection of culture and religion: A cultural analysis of religion's implications for secondary control and social affiliation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.